On 15-16 May 2024, a Rabat Process Thematic Meeting on the positive effects of regular migration for sustainable development will take place in Lisbon, Portugal. The meeting will focus in particular on the role of entrepreneurship and diaspora engagement.
Co-chaired by Portugal and Senegal, this event aligns with Objective 1 (Action 3) of the Cadiz Action Plan, and will bring together representatives from Rabat Process partner countries and organisations, alongside field experts. As reference country for Area 1, Nigeria will also play an integral role in shaping the organisation and content of this significant gathering.
This meeting marks the first Thematic Meeting under the Portuguese Chairmanship.
Fostering Collaboration: Leveraging Migration for Sustainable Development
This upcoming meeting aims to foster collaboration between European and African countries, facilitating the sharing of experiences and best practices to enhance the positive effects of regular migration for sustainable development.
Building upon previous meetings in this area, the gathering will also establish connections with the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), exploring and unpacking the potential benefits of regular migration for the sustainable development of countries of origin, transit, and destination.
Key elements include the involvement of migrant diasporas, which play a significant role in promoting positive migration impacts, alongside supporting entrepreneurship initiatives and increasing the mobilisation of women and young people in migration processes.
Expected results
In particular, this event will:
- Identify examples of good practices and case studies from various organisations and governments aiming to facilitate diaspora engagement and entrepreneurship in countries of origin, with a specific attention to those involving women and young people.
- Pinpoint existing challenges and barriers that might hinder further diaspora engagement and look at recommendations to minimise them.
- Identify evidenced-based strategies and policies to increase the dialogue between countries of origin and destination to promote the transfer of skills, knowledge, and resources to countries of origin.
- Strengthen dialogue between countries of origin and destination to promote knowledge and resource transfer.
Engaging civil society for better development impact
Additionally, a side event during the meeting will provide a platform for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and their representatives to express their perspectives. This will offer an opportunity for dialogue and exchange between Rabat Process partner countries and CSOs, including diaspora organisations. The event will therefore enable SCOs to highlight their work, share insights and best practices, and underscore the positive contributions of diasporas to host, transit, and origin countries.
Representatives of Rabat Process partner countries and organisations may still register until 25 April 2024:
Background: Migration and Development in the Rabat Process framework
The nexus between migration and development, particularly involving diaspora engagement, is pivotal within the framework of the Rabat Process. Several events and publications have explored that connection in recent years:
- The Thematic Meeting on Diaspora Engagement Strategies: Entrepreneurship and Investment held in October 2016 in Bamako, Mali, resulted in the production of documents on diaspora engagement and a stakeholder mapping.
- A Technical Workshop Diaspora Remittances and Sustainable Development, organised in November 2019 in Abuja, Nigeria, led to a compendium of initiatives leveraging diaspora remittances for development and recommendations for governments and other stakeholders.
- In November 2020, the publication Collection of Diaspora Engagement Practices compiled best practices to enhance diaspora potential for development, serving as a knowledge tool for partner countries.
- The Thematic Meeting on Remittances and Sustainable Development held in November 2022 in Brussels, Belgium, provided concrete recommendations on maximising remittance impact and financial inclusion.
The Rabat Process has also opened avenues for exploring contributions from diasporas, youth, and women within the geographical framework of the Dialogue.
- The webinar on “Mainstreaming Migration into Development Policies and Cooperation” organised in April 2021, acknowledged the key role of diasporas in shaping migration and development policies, supported by working documents on migration strategies in African and European countries.
- In May 2022, the Thematic Meeting “Migration and Development in 2022: the Role of Cooperation in Migration; New Actors for a New Context” held in Madrid, Spain, highlighted diasporas as agents of change, youth employment and entrepreneurship, and the role of women in development, resulting in operational guidelines for partner countries.
- The Thematic Meeting on Migration, Youth and Development held in October 2023 in the Hague, the Netherlands, the first to include youth representatives, generated recommendations on diaspora engagement, leadership empowerment for young women, youth entrepreneurship, digital education, and youth participation in decision-making processes.
